Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-12

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide: "90% of the property issue is solved; The implementation of the solution is being discussed"

[02] Durust to President Anastasiades: "Nobody has the right to disturb our people"

[03] A report on the "Negotiations process and the Turkish Cypriot economy in a Federal Cyprus" was presented

[04] Cakici responded to Erdogan's demand on the "citizenship" issue; "Citizenship will be granted in accordance with laws"

[05] The Turkish Cypriot press reveals the text of the "agreement" on the administration of the water from Turkey

[06] Kalyoncu argues that they should abide by Turkey's conditions on the water issue

[07] Wastewater is being carried to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey due to an infrastructure problem

[08] Akim stated that he prefers the transferring of electricity from "south Cyprus" instead from Turkey

[09] The U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus met with Harmanci

[10] The Counsellor of the German Embassy visited the "EMU"

[11] Erdogan: "Minutes revealing refugee talks with EU leaders were not a source of shame but provided absolution"

[12] Turkey's Interior Minister announced an end to operations in southeastern Turkey

[13] Pro-government newspapers Yeni Safak and Yeni Akit were attacked

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide: "90% of the property issue is solved; The implementation of the solution is being discussed"

In statements to Selim Sayari, NTV's correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eide noted that four out of the six chapters of the Cyprus problem have been completed to a great extent. He said that the chapters of the territory and the guarantees have not been completed and no agreement is reached yet on them, adding that agreement on these issues will be reached in the end of the process.

He noted: "We will launch an important technical work on the constitution, the economy and the implementation of the solution. We are at an important point. [?] The leaders have covered a distance more than 90% on the property issue. The calculation of percentages is always difficult. Sometimes, the 10% could be more difficult that the 90%. We have a model on the property. We are trying to complete it. I do not believe that the property will take long, but significant resources are needed".

Eide avoided giving a date for the solution of the problem, but having as starting point statements by the two community leaders, said that a solution could be reached within 2016 and its implementation could begin this year.

Arguing that the economy of the federal Cyprus will be in a better situation than the economy of the two zones, Eide said that money is needed in the beginning for the necessary investments to be made. He added that during the past few months he has been looking for ways on the financing of the solution and argued that it is possible to have a package comprised of international aid and investments by the private sector.

Noting that experts from the IMF, the World Bank and EU institutions are working on the estimation of the cost of the solution, Eide expressed the view that the international interest which is being shown for Cyprus is a "blessing", adding that all 15 members of the UN Security Council had expressed their support to the solution in Cyprus, which could be a "source of inspiration" for the problematic areas in the region.

Referring to the natural gas found in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, Eide noted that with the solution, Cyprus will become an energy center in the area and that both leaders know that the natural gas will bring a "very good income to the federal state".

Replying to a question on the recent statement by the community leaders, Eide expressed the view that these statements have no relation with the forthcoming elections in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus and added:

"The leaders are not troubled by the elections. Whatever the result of the elections is, both of them will preserve their positions. We must be focused on the negotiations. Both leaders and their delegations are working very decisively. They are progressing for turning the disagreements into an agreement. This does not mean that they will agree on everything. The political leadership in Ankara strongly supports the solution. The situation is also the same in Athens. The third guarantor power Britain has been exerting efforts for the solution for years [?] I think that I will be the last special adviser. I said this meaning that the solution will be reached. If this chance is wasted, the view that another mediator will not come prevails. If the two leaders cannot reach a solution in spite of this positive climate, this strong international support they have, I do not think that the same opportunity could be found in another five or ten years. I still believe that I will be the last mediator and I hope that there is a good reason for this".

Meanwhile, Kibris also reports that Eide met with Turkish Cypriot leader Musrtafa Akinci yesterday and discussed the program of the negotiations during the next months.

After the meeting, Eide was asked to comment on President Anastasiades statement on the rotating presidency. He replied: "If you read what he said, you will clearly see that Anastasiades simply said that the one side has one view and the other has the opposite view and that this is negotiated". He noted that the leaders are expected to discuss this issue during their meeting tomorrow. He also said that this is nothing new as it was a known position and added that when the negotiations start there is no consensus on some issues, but they advance issue by issue and when everything ends, they reach an agreement on all issues.

Eide expressed the view that it would be well for the leaders to discuss how they will behave in their relations with the people and whether there is an issue to be shared with the people. He said that as one of the persons who know what is happening in the negotiations, he can see that things are going well, but those who read the newspapers of the two communities could be completely confused as to whether agreement exists on any issue. Eide noted that he sympathizes with the readers of the newspapers, that this is an issue which should be solved and that the leaders will discuss how they could cope with this issue.

Finally, in an interview with Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper (12.02.16), Eide said that during the talks the sides are discussing the implementation of the solution including when every single step will be taken and the preparations on the constitution of the united Cyprus. Eide noted that they want to be ready when they come to the final stage and the difficult issues are overcome.

Eide noted that "intensive diplomacy" is being carried out at the backstage as regards the issues of security and guarantees. He noted that consultations are held with Athens, Ankara, London, the UN Security Council and other interested sides and expressed the view that the guarantees will not be a difficult issue to be settled, because of the positive course of the negotiating process, the trust between the sides and the positive stance of the guarantors.

Replying to a question, Eide said that the sum of 20 billion euro which is said that will be needed for financing the solution is an exaggerated sum. "We will need resources in the beginning. Subsequently the solution will be financing itself", he added.

Asked whether the implementation of the solution is being discussed, Eide replied: "Yes, I can say that it has started to be discussed".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Durust to President Anastasiades: "Nobody has the right to disturb our people"

"I am of the opinion that we should not allow Anastasiades' statements to affect our people. He, in every place he goes for his election campaign says to the people with Girne origin [Translator's note: meaning the refugees from Keryneia] that 'We will take Keryneia back' and to the people with Guzelyurt origin [Translator's note: meaning the refugees from occupied Morfou] 'We will take Morfou back'. Nobody has the right to annoy our people for political purposes. We will not allow this to happen", Durust said.

Claiming that the occupied Morfou is completely different today than Morfou the Greek Cypriots "left" in 1974, Durust called President Anastasiades to visit and tour occupied Morfou in order to understand this. "He will see that Morfou has been developed by four times, in spite of the fact that Morfou is the least developed area in the TRNC. And with the university investment to be carried out there, the development will be increased more. Similarly, we will carry out investments in Trikomo as well. In brief, there was a remarkable development in our places within the borders of the TRNC since 1974", Durust alleged.

He further called President Anastasiades to read well the recent statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has called the Turkish Cypriots to "Stand tall in Cyprus, do not step back" and who has allegedly said that "Morfou should not be given to the Greek Cypriots".

Commenting on Erdogan's statement, Durust said that this statement made them feel comfortable and relaxed.

(?)

(AK)

[03] A report on the "Negotiations process and the Turkish Cypriot economy in a Federal Cyprus" was presented

The report was prepared with the aim of determining the necessary opportunities, support and permanent conservations needed to be given in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, constructing, trade, tourism, higher education, transportation and communication for the institutionalisation and competitiveness after a comprehensive solution.

Delivering an opening speech at the event the Chairman of the KTTO Fikri Toros said that Cyprus will be at a turning point in the near future and added that they evaluated this process as critical and important.

A member of the Board of Directors of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Faik Yavuz, for his part, said that Cyprus is at the beginning of an important process and added that the report prepared by the KTTO will contribute to this process.

The self-styled minister of finance Birikim Ozgur during his address stressed that the "government" is continuing to work towards social and economic development of the "people". Explaining that a certain time is needed for preparing the public finance and economic sectors to the European Union and solution circumstance, Ozgur said that there is a path that needed to be followed in order to survive with the new structure and added that in this regard the report will make contributions for reaching a common idea and target.

Illegal Turkish "ambassador" to the occupied part of Lefkosia Derya Kanbay, in his speech, noted that new conditions, which will result from a federal state to be established after a referendum, will occur and said: "Since the new conditions will be based on the EU acquis this report will be useful". He also stressed the importance of pursuing and implementing the right economic policies.

Self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, for his part, reminded that the negotiations process which aims to establish a federal Cyprus is continuing and expressed the need for all institutions to give the necessary support to the leaders and their negotiators. Stressing the need for further strengthening the economy, he said that having a strong economy will be one of the issues safeguarding freedom and security.

Expressing the need for passing the "laws from parliament" which will enable harmonization with the EU, Kalyoncu stressed the importance of working together with the civil society organizations during the process.

[04] Cakici responded to Erdogan's demand on the "citizenship" issue; "Citizenship will be granted in accordance with laws"

"It is the state that decides to whom it will grant citizenships, nobody else has the right to demand and decide for this", Cakici added.

Supporting that "citizenships are granted according to the laws and the authorities of the state", Cakici replied to the recent statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who called the Turkish Cypriots to grant more "citizenship" and said that "the TRNC is granting citizenship in accordance with its rules and law".

Cakici expressed also strong criticism to the "government" for its policies towards the water issue, the privatization of the illegal Tymbou airport and the "citizenship issue".

(AK)

[05] The Turkish Cypriot press reveals the text of the "agreement" on the administration of the water from Turkey

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriots have been "sold out", Afrika reports that only the signature of self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs Tugrul Turkes is left for the "agreement".

According to the provisions of the agreement, the administration of the water is monopolized. In the article 7 of the "agreement" it is said that "the part of the provided water which will be used as drinking and utility water is operated by a single administrator in the TRNC". Article 8 provides that no other institution or organization of the private or "public" sector could be given the right to administrate the water during the period in which the administrator is given the right to administrate the water.

Moreover, only Turkey will have the right to sell the water to third countries. Also, the installations of the "municipalities" will be handed over to the private company which will administrate the water. The company will be paying as cost of use 10% of the turnover from the water sale to the "finance" ministry" and not to the "municipalities".

The article 13 of the "agreement" says that the immovable properties needed for the activities of the enterprise will immediately be expropriated by the "TRNC government" and will be given to the administrator without asking anything to be paid by the latter.

Article 11 provides that the private company which will administrate the water will be exempted from any "legal obligation" and it will not be needed to take a "work or residence permit" for its high ranking personnel.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Kalyoncu argues that they should abide by Turkey's conditions on the water issue

Kalyoncu further said that he thinks that at the stage they have reached on the issue regarding the administration of the water coming from Turkey, there are not a lot of things that they can do. He explained that the one who brings the water to the island it is obvious that will also exert its conditions and without these conditions a delivery will not be made to the "government".

Noting that there is a water problem in the "country", Kalyoncu said: "This water was transferred here by the Republic of Turkey. When we established this government, we found the water issue in our hands. Since that day, we have been trying to solve it. The current situation is clearer now. I believe that we should now conclude this issue after we carried out the necessary contacts."

Kalyoncu also argued: "I am not a person that supports privatization, however, this water has come until here and this water will be delivered to us with certain conditions. Those who bring the water here have manifested also their conditions. (?) For this reason, regardless of who is in the 'government' will not have more luck. (?) Therefore, we should finally close this issue."

(DPs)

[07] Wastewater is being carried to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey due to an infrastructure problem

"The Akine, Sar?agac and Ormanc?k neighborhoods have a broken water purification system. In other words, wastewater is being deposited into the reservoir of the dam that carries water to the TRNC", Aybak added.

[08] Akim stated that he prefers the transferring of electricity from "south Cyprus" instead from Turkey

Recalling that Ozgur has not taken into consideration the reports they had prepared in the past towards this issue, Akim stated the following: "I prefer south Cyprus. And this because, we breathe in the same atmosphere and we are getting wet from the same rain. The distance between us is trivial. (?).

(AK)

[09] The U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus met with Harmanci

According to a press release by the "Nicosia Turkish Municipality", they exchanged views on what should be done after the Cyprus settlement and on which stage the Cyprus talks have reached.

Harmanci, commenting on the projects that are being carried out within the walls in the occupied part of Nicosia, said that the opening of Paphos Gate will contribute positively to the development of the area.

(DPs)

[10] The Counsellor of the German Embassy visited the "EMU"

According to a press release by "DAU", during the visit Dr Osam briefed Neven regarding the "university", adding that they are open for the necessary initiatives on the issue of academic cooperation between Germany and "DAU".

(DPs)

[11] Erdogan: "Minutes revealing refugee talks with EU leaders were not a source of shame but provided absolution"

"Some try to attack us by [giving] the minutes of these meetings," Erdogan said during his speech at the general assembly of the Turkish Statistics Institute (TUIK), referring to a November 19 meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, where he allegedly threatened to flood Europe with migrants if a deal was not reached with the EU.

"You must have read what we said there. We defended the rights of our country and of Syrians," Erdogan said, adding that the published minutes were "not a source of shame but provided absolution".

"In the past we have stopped people at the gates of Europe; in Edirne we stopped their buses. This happens once or twice, and then we'll open the gates and wish them a safe journey, that's what I said," Erdogan told the audience.

Erdogan reiterated his anger with the United Nations, which demanded that Turkey open its borders to a new wave of Syrian refugees from Aleppo due to increased attacks by the Syrian regime and Russia.

A Greek news website published minutes of Erdogan's November 2015 meeting with Juncker and Tusk on Feb. 8, which was largely picked up by Turkish media outlets as documents of a "bargain."

In the minutes, Erdogan said Turkey could open its borders with Greece and Bulgaria, and send the refugees to Europe in buses, if a deal was not reached.

(?)

The minutes also include Erdogan stressing that he is "not representing a third world country," in response to Juncker's comments that he was welcomed "like a prince," in Brussels.

Allegedly, Juncker also reminded Erdogan of the postponement of Turkey's Progress Report, which harshly criticized the current situation the of rule of law and free speech, until after the country's November 1 elections, arguing that the delay contributed to the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) election victory.

Erdogan singlehandedly rejected Juncker's argument, saying that the report was an "insult," and did not reflect the "real Turkey."

[12] Turkey's Interior Minister announced an end to operations in southeastern Turkey

"Today, operations have just ended... Operational activities in Cizre ended successfully but search activities will continue from now on. Curfews will also continue for a while as is the case in Silopi," Ala said on February 11.

"We believe that it [the operation] will be completed in Cizre within a few days. In Sur, it may take one or two weeks longer but there too, 85-90%[of the operation] has been completed. In Cizre, the cleaning of ditches and holes and clearing of mines has reached 99%," he said.

[13] Pro-government newspapers Yeni Safak and Yeni Akit were attacked

The two dailies' buildings were separately targeted by unidentified assailants, and no casualties were reported.

Speaking during a Turkey Young Businessmen Confederation (TUGIK) meeting on Thursday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly condemned the attacks on the pro-government dailies but declined to describe as attacks two previous violent protests outside the Hurriyet newspaper, referring to them instead as "scuffles."

"Attacks were staged against the buildings of Akit and Yeni Safak this morning. I strongly condemn the attacks. In the past, the windows of another newspaper were shattered during a scuffle -- not in an armed attack," Erdogan said.

The US Embassy in Turkey also posted consecutive tweets on Thursday declaring support for Yeni Safak and Akit.

"Violence against journalists is always unacceptable. A free and diverse press is essential to a democratic society," the first tweet said.

"We defend Yeni Safak & Yeni Akit's right to print & report without fear of reprisal, as we do every journalist's," the Embassy added.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemned the attack and called on Turkish officials to solve the case and punish the perpetrators. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(AK/AM)

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